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Method for recycling polystyrene and solvent for dissolving polystyrene

Pending Publication Date: 2022-08-04
FF FUTURE OY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for recycling polystyrene waste materials, particularly foamed polystyrene waste. The method utilizes a dissolution recycling process using solvents, such as 1,3-dioxolane or isoamyl acetate, which are efficient and cost-effective. The solvents dissolve polystyrene from waste materials with high dissolving ability, and the recycled material has properties similar to virgin polystyrene. The use of a closed circulation system for the solvent reduces solvent waste and improves cost-efficiency. The method is also environmentally friendly and can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes.

Problems solved by technology

Most of the products made of polystyrene-type materials are disposed of in landfills or incinerated which is not environmentally friendly.
The d-limonene however has the disadvantage that it has a strong citrus odour and a high boiling point of 176 ° C., which set challenges to the operating environment of the industrial dissolution system.
It is also liable to decompose and lacks stability because it is a natural product.

Method used

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  • Method for recycling polystyrene and solvent for dissolving polystyrene

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0036]In this Example, polystyrene recycling was studied with the solvents according to the present invention and with limonene as a reference.

[0037]Foamed polystyrene, 1 g, was added to 20 g of each solvent, weighted into an individual rounded bottom flask. Mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 minutes to completely dissolve foamed polystyrene to the solvent. After polystyrene was dissolved, the round bottom flask was equipped with distilling bridge and a receiving flask and placed on oil bath. Mixture was heated gradually towards the boiling temperature of the solvent until the solvent started to evaporate. Distillation was continued for 1 hour at 1 atm pressure. Solvents and their boiling point are presented in Table 1. Limonene was used as reference. Polystyrene and residue solvent remaining in reaction flask and distilled solvent in receiving flask were weighted. Results are summarized in Table 2.

[0038]Compared to Limonene (reference solvent), both isoamul acetate and 1...

example 2

[0039]In this Example, polystyrene recycling was studied with the solvents according to the present invention and with limonene (reference solvent) under diminished air pressure for studying the effect of vacuum on distillation.

[0040]Foamed polystyrene, 1 g, was added to 20 g of each solvent, weighted into an individual rounded bottom flask. Mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 minutes to completely dissolve foamed polystyrene to the solvent. After polystyrene was dissolved, the round bottom flask was equipped with distilling bridge, receiving flask and vacuum pump and placed on oil bath. Pressure of the system was set to 50 mbar.

[0041]When using 1,3-dioxolane as the solvent, after setting the vacuum solvent started to evaporate. Distillation was continued for 1 hour at 50 mbar pressure at room temperature.

[0042]When using isoamyl acetate as the solvent, mixture was heated gradually to 55-75° C. to evaporate the solvent. Distillation was continued for 1 hour.

[0043]When usin...

example 3

[0046]Solubility of foamed polystyrene to the solvents according to the present invention and to limonene as a reference solvent was determined. 20 g of each solvent was weighted to an individual rounded bottom flask. Solvents were stirred at room temperature and foam polystyrene pieces were added to the mixtures until it no longer dissolved to the solvents. Mixtures were weighed and the amount of polystyrene foam dissolved was determined. Limonene was used as a reference solvent. Solubility test results are summarized in Table 4.

TABLE 4Solubility of polystyrene foam in different solvents.Solvent (20 g)Dissolved polystyrene foam (g)1,3-Dioxolane4.18Isoamyl acetate7.22Limonene (reference)2.25

[0047]The solvents according to the present invention dissolve polystyrene foam better as limonene.

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Abstract

A method for recycling polystyrene in a dissolution recycling process, in which method 1,3-dioxolane or isoamyl acetate is used as a solvent for dissolving polystyrene.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention provides a method for recycling polystyrene and a solvent for dissolving polystyrene in a dissolution recycling process.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In recent years, it has become desirable from the viewpoint of waste-disposal, to establish a recycling technology for waste polystyrene material. Most of the products made of polystyrene-type materials are disposed of in landfills or incinerated which is not environmentally friendly. A dissolution method for recycling the polystyrene is being undertaken to replace the common disposal methods. It is known to use d-limonene, which is one of citrus plant essential oils, as a solvent for the polystyrene dissolution method. The d-limonene however has the disadvantage that it has a strong citrus odour and a high boiling point of 176 ° C., which set challenges to the operating environment of the industrial dissolution system. It is also liable to decompose and lacks stability because it is...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): C08J11/08
CPCC08J11/08C08J2325/06Y02W30/62B29B2017/0293B29B17/02B29K2025/06B29K2105/04B29B17/04B29B2017/0224B29B17/00
Inventor NIEMINEN, HENRILEIVO, JARKKOMARIN, TUIREKUMMALA, HELI
Owner FF FUTURE OY
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